Then & Now
The passion that fueled our start, still keeps us going!
FROM DUST TO STORIED GLORY
Founded in a small Arizona mountain town, Desert de Oro Foods (DDO) was born amidst a recession in the ’80s. Today, as we usher in the next generation of leadership, we also celebrate how far we’ve come!
DETERMINATION & DRIVE
DDO’s story begins with the purchase of one lone, half-built Taco Bell by siblings Mark Peterson and Krystal Burge. Desiring to go into business together, their naïveté fueled our start and their shared tolerance for risk carried us forward. Today, we operate more than 350 restaurants nationwide, employ 9000+ team members and are ushering in a new generation of leaders. You could say Mark and Krystal had that golden touch!
Company History
Mark, 20, and Krystal, 21, used college money and a loan from their grandparents to buy the rights to develop a single Taco Bell in Kingman, AZ. DDO is born!
Krystal begins running Kingman on her own while Mark opens and operates a second location nearby. Over the next 10 years, they acquire eight more Taco Bells in western Arizona and enter California!
DDO’s portfolio of diverse Fork in the Road sit-down restaurants is born with the purchase of The Dambar & Steakhouse, located along historic Route 66 in Kingman.
Mark and Krystal land their biggest deal yet, acquiring 26 restaurants in the Phoenix area. Recognizing the potential of the market, they keep expanding.
DDO purchases an additional seven Taco Bells in central Arizona.
Mark and Krystal purchase local favorite Gurley St. Grill in Prescott, AZ as Fork in the Road’s latest concept.
DDO Foods ventures into central and southern Utah with the acquisition of 14 Taco Bell restaurants. The company also begins construction on the first new Taco Bells the state has seen in 10 years!
DDO Foods acquires five more Taco Bells in Yuma, AZ (two locations) and El Centro, CA (three locations) from the franchisor.
DDO Foods ventures into a third brand, acquiring 40 Pizza Huts in and around Phoenix, AZ from Pizza Hut Corporate. A few years later, another seven Arizona locations are acquired. Brand count reaches 57!
The historic Hualapai Mountain Resort with charming accommodations, an event center and a restaurant on site is added to DDO’s Fork in the Road portfolio.
DDO expands into Texas, acquiring 34 Taco Bell and Taco Bell KFC co-branded restaurants in San Antonio from a retiring franchisee. It’s our largest acquisition to date!
DDO acquires 25 more Pizza Huts in Arizona from an existing franchisee, bringing our total count to 89!
DDO enters the New England market acquiring several Taco Bells.
Krystal’s son and daughter, Chad Burge and Tiffany Oder, assume leadership roles, bringing a fresh perspective and commitment to preserving DDO’s legacy, reputation, and culture.
DDO launches its annual Estrellas de Oro reward trip for top performing Restaurant General Managers (RGMs) and Area Coaches (ACs). The trip is beyond memorable!
DDO finishes up the building of seven Taco Bells in New England, adding 250 to 300 jobs. The company has never opened seven restaurants in a single market in one year!